Automatic jigging device for a fishing rod

Abstract

An automatic jigging device ( 10 ) that may be secured to a rod ( 16 ) of a fishing pole ( 12 ), thereby imparting action to a fishing lure, and broadly comprises an actuator ( 22 ) attached to the rod ( 16 ) and a controller ( 24 ) for controlling the actuator ( 22 ). The actuator ( 22 ) preferably includes a rotating assembly ( 28 ) for causing the vibration, a housing ( 32 ) for containing the assembly ( 28 ), and a rod mount ( 34 ) for securing the housing ( 32 ) to the rod ( 16 ). As a motor ( 30 ) rotates the assembly ( 28 ), the assembly's ( 28 ) offset center of gravity causes the actuator ( 22 ) to vibrate. The rod mount ( 34 ) preferably comprises one or more clips having an internal diameter approximating the rod's ( 16 ) external diameter. Thus, the actuator ( 22 ) may be firmly seated onto the rod ( 16 ), but not the handle ( 14 ), of the fishing pole ( 12 ), thereby leaving the handle ( 14 ) unobstructed.

1. A jigging device for imparting action to a fishing lure secured to a fishing pole having a handle and a rod extending from the handle, the device comprising:
 a rotating assembly operable to cause vibration; 
 a controller operable to control the rotating assembly to cause intermittent vibration wherein the controller includes a power input operable to provide electrical power to the rotating assembly and a belt mount operable to allow a user to secure the controller to the user's belt, thereby keeping the controller within the user's reach while minimizing the housing's weight; 
 a housing containing the rotating assembly; and 
 a rod mount operable to secure the housing to the rod, thereby leaving the handle unobstructed and permitting the rotating assembly to impart the vibration to the rod and the action to the lure. 
 
   
   
     2. A jigging device for imparting action to a fishing lure secured to a fishing pole having a handle and a rod extending from the handle, the device comprising:
 a rotating assembly operable to cause vibration; 
 a substantially waterproof housing containing the rotating assembly; 
 a controller operable to control the rotating assembly and located remotely with respect to the housing, the controller including a belt mount operable to allow a user to secure the controller to the user's belt; and 
 a rod mount operable to secure the housing to the rod but not the handle, thereby leaving the handle unobstructed and permitting the rotating assembly to impart the vibration to the rod and the action to the lure. 
 
   
   
     3. The device as set forth in  claim 2 , the controller including a power switch for selectively activating the rotating assembly and an intensity control for selecting an intensity of the action imparted to the lure. 
   
   
     4. The device as set forth in  claim 2 , the controller including a delay control for selecting a delay period during which substantially no action is imparted to the lure and a duration control for selecting a duration during which action is imparted to the lure after the delay period has elapsed. 
   
   
     5. The device as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the controller is further operable to contain a power source capable of providing electrical power to a power input of the controller. 
   
   
     6. The device as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the controller is further operable to contain a power input for accepting power from a power source located remotely from the controller, thereby minimizing the controller's weight. 
   
   
     7. A jigging device for imparting action to a fishing lure secured to a fishing pole having a handle and a rod extending from the handle, the device comprising:
 an actuator including—
 a rotating assembly operable to cause vibration and having a center of gravity, 
 an electric motor operable to rotate the rotating assembly about a shaft offset from the center of gravity, 
 a substantially waterproof housing containing the rotating assembly and the motor, and 
 a clip having an internal diameter of less than one half inch and operable to secure the housing to the rod but not the handle, thereby leaving the handle unobstructed and permitting the rotating assembly to impart the vibration to the rod and the action to the lure; 
 
 a controller including—
 a power switch for selectively activating the rotating assembly, 
 an intensity control for selecting an intensity of the action imparted to the lure,
 a delay control for selecting a delay period during which substantially no action is imparted to the lure, 
 
 a duration control for selecting a duration during which action is imparted to the lure after the delay period has elapsed, 
 a power input operable to provide electrical power to the motor, the switch, and the controls, 
 a housing through which the switch and controls may be operated, and 
 a belt mount operable to allow a user to secure the controller to the user's belt, 
 thereby keeping the switch and the controls within the user's reach, and 
 a cable electrically coupling the actuator to the controller. 
 
 
   
   
     8. The device as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the controller is operable to further contain a power source capable of providing electrical power to the power input. 
   
   
     9. The device as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the power input is operable to accept power from a power source located remotely from the controller, thereby minimizing the controller's weight.